Sun Metro halfway complete with first phase of new transit system

By Crystal PriceEL PASO, Texas -- Sun Metro has halfway completed the first phase of the new Rapid Transit System, also known as Sun Metro Brio.

The new system will consist of brand-new 60-foot buses with a higher capacity.

Sun Metro is building 22 new bus stations where passengers can pay their fare before they get on the bus.

The new stations will be a mile apart and buses will stop more frequently for pickup.

According to Sun Metro, people ride the buses 17 million times every year, and that number goes up an average of 5 percent each year.

As the number of commuters goes up, the Rapid Transit System will help the growing group of commuters get around faster, Sun Metro said.

"We're divided by a mountain and also by Fort Bliss, and it's kind of hard for us to provide service throughout the community as fast as possible," said Laura Cruz-Acosta, with Sun Metro. "This is one way of doing it faster."

Cruz-Acosta said this is the first of four corridors, and the primary purpose is to move the community a little bit faster.

In the meantime, multiple streets – including Mesa, Oregon and Franklin -- will have either one or two lane closures as Sun Metro completes the first phase of the project.

"We want to make sure that each of the stops is able to support the weight of the bus, so we're pouring concrete into the ground instead of asphalt in order to take the weight of the bus," Cruz-Acosta said.

Some daily Sun Metro commuters are excited about the new Rapid Transit System.

Justin Cameron, a West El Paso resident, rides the bus every day.

"Most of the time I'm usually just going to work or the library," Cameron said.

Cameron admits that sometimes it can take a huge chunk out of his day.